Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-12-22
THE ROCK ISLAND.
Written Specially for the TINES by /. S. Richs

IL KUN ISLAND.
Written Specially for the TINES by l. s. Richards
| The great Rock Island Route, as it i.
known everywhere, came flying in tc
South Dodge city yesterday Ties, rails
engine and all pertaining thereto at the
same time. The Cowboy band, first in
time of peace first in time of war; frs
when the people rejoice, and first at the
ceremonies of our departed ones: there
fore first in the hearts Of the people
marched down Bridge street with Quick
steps and across the Arkansas bridge, anC
the multitude followed, until thousands
were assembled at the spacious depot on
the South Side Speeches were made
worded to the point as complimentary tc
the officers of the new road. Much praise
expressed IN favor of Col Perry the &C.
tive president OF the construction of the
road. Our indomitable Gallagher (not
the other ''let her go Gallagherc0 bu,
our Dodge City Gallagher received the
highest praise, and golden headed cane
thrown in afterwards. The speaker was
one of our city attorneys, Mr.. Frankey,
a good and logical speaker The band
led the vast crowd in their march to the
Delmonico where others spoke in praise
of the enterprise, and in congratulations
of the future anticipations of the Rock
Island Messrs Jones and Moffitt were
speakers. The climax is always capped
by Charlie Heinz of the Delmonico who
caters to the stomach. and the wide world
cant beat him even if he has only half a
chance. He will not be downed when
| considering the comforts of the inner
man
The writer, having been SO closely allied
with the Great Rock Island route since
she first pulled her engines out from Chi
cago westward, and rolled her noisy en-
gines into Rock Island mimcing the old
steamers which stood along the busy whar-
yes on the Rock Island and Davenport
side of the Mississippi, could relate many
interesting stories connected with her
history, showing that there is no
more safe and reliable corporation in
this country, than this favorite road No
wonder the people are rejoiced to know
that Dodge City has become one of the
cities upon whose time table she finds a
prominent place. We can run back in
memory 30 years and see her line work
ing rapidly, but permanently through the
great state of Iowa. Then her tributaries
as time and business demanded first
Northward then Southwark tapping
every prominent place of trade even as
far as into Dakota, and Southern Mime
sofa. In her offices were men with noble
hearts and steady heads, and from within
her corps of operatives, she has educated
all her present force of employees as well
as officers. Messrs Cable, Riddle, Royce
Kimbal, st. John Holbrook, Root. and
others, have climbed up the ladder of
merit until they occupy their present
positions Mr.. Royce 80 years ago was
ticket agent at as insignificant a station
as Howell just west of Dodge City, call
ed Pond Creek station in Illinois when he
also was director of the village school,
which the writer was teaching. The
others were along the line in their re
spective positions.
The Rock Island is noted for it's con-
servatism, and not inclined to pooling yet |
her financial standing is never fluctuat-
ing. In all her departments she has never |
forgotten that the safe transportation of |
passengers should be paramount to every
other consideration. There are many
little incidents which will prove this ed
ucated care and in relating one, will
suffice, a laughable instance.
About ten years ago one cold and
cherries night the train, little behind
lime, pulled out from Marengo westward
pound and we will not give the careful
engineers name, fearing we might have
% fight next time we meet him. After
unning about five miles the whistle rang
'ut the most hideous alarm, and men and
women were pitched pell-mell over and
OPP OF each other, coal burners nearly up
ct, and conductor Smith with all his
orpulency was out ON the platform in
N instant, but we are going back toward
1alengo like as if the devil and all his
Ombined force were after us. We roll
d in to Marengo on the side track, when [
he agent came out to see what was '
7rong, our faithful engineer said that l.,
here was an other train coming like light ,
ing through the cut this side of Ladora,
OF 100 yards ahead of him when he }
Thlstled? But-but-says he, | have !
OF seen it since | started back. The e
roper inquiry was made of Mr.. Root at 2
Wilton junction, the train dispatcher to .
'arn If there was train between Victor
nd Marengo coming east? Root replied
go-ahead there is not an east bound train =
etween you and the Missouri River"
he joke will last longer than any pas
,nger will live. If it had occurred in P
ansas the engineer would have known
hat 1t was. 1t was mirage, and here t.
e have them just as deceptive as any s.
here on earth. The glaziered walls on =
Their side in the deep cut before him
Elected MS own engines head light. that
did look fearful and we'll Should bo -